Isidro Ramos
24 Mar 2008

 

 

Happy Easter to you Mr. Oriel, I would say your reading skill is good but with due respect, your comprehension needs a lot to be desired.

The title of my comment “Dreaming of the Taiwanese wishes” was the editor’s not mine. Here is a snippet of my statement… “The Philippine electorate should take note of the will and wishes of the Taiwanese people”. The key word was “take note” never was any mentioned of copy, adopt, or in the like of the Taiwanese wishes. The man they elected might be stained but their judgment should be left to be respected.

We are all aware Mr. Oriel, that each sovereign nation has its own set of problems and laundry lists to contend with so no need to remind us and btw no need to emphasize how informed you are. Lest we forget I hope your adopted country has cleaned up its act why they bought a leaky used sub that sunk on its way to North America.

Do I hear corruption? Moral: Clean your own backyard before you move on to somebody else’s.

Edener Benitez Fabella
24 Mar 2008

 

 

While most people living on earth are singing a song made popular by Karen Carpenter ‘There’s a kind of ‘flush’ all over the world tonight’ an international agency reported millions of Filipinos don’t have toilets?

So I ask you, if you are truly a genuine leader sincerely looking after the welfare of your people not out to line up your pockets, which would you prioritize: (a) broadband network or giving people in far off places a chance to flush? (b) Cyberspace education where few monitors will likely end up hanging in mango trees for lack of classrooms, or pumping more money and efforts to help prevent typhoid, dengue, diarrhea and other ancient times diseases?

If government officials have no scruples spending people’s money on frivolous things such as junkets and mansions etc., could they find it in their hearts to at least give people toilets to wean them away from using patpats and damos? Is it too much to ask?

Jose Ceralde
23 Mar 2008

 

 

Edwin,

I share your sentiments on your posting. When Bueno won the European Idol, Jasmin Trias in American Idol as finalist, Pinays climbed and made it on top of Everest, Pinoys made it to US political mainstream, and given awards in sciences and arts, I identify myself with them.

I also share the shame when Pinoy priests here in US are put in the most wanted list or Cunanan is in the headlines. I protested when our medical profession was criticized on a TV show.

I hear some of our fellow Pinoys bad mouth the Philippines and the people but I just read the book of Carlos Bulosan to remind me of why some of those people say what they say. Most of what he wrote in his book “America is in the heart” is still relevant today.

For the majority of fellow Pinoys here that I meet and in contact with, they still have strong feeling for the motherland and especially for the people left behind.

In the Philippine center of Somerdale New Jersey Fil-Am kids are taught by people who are like minded like you. We only have happy satisfied old men who have aged gracefully.

Ed Pontaoe
23 Mar 2008

 

 

Edwin,

I couldn’t understand one bit the hubris spewing from your ears.

You seemed not jubilant that I wouldn’t throw $50.00 dollars on Pay-Per-View to watch a fight you are so proud of.

How could you squander such amount taken from SSI . . . a euphemism for welfare for which that part of the country is known for? Is it because it’s taken from the backs of working Americans and it’s free?

If so, then put this freebie money to good use.

Well, Edwin, inasmuch that you are using the Sunday Punch Forum to vent your anger and expose your conservative way of life - this is what I wanted you to do.

If you look at the Kabaleyan Club, you’ll notice that most posters contribute to the fund for the Sunday Punch’s continuity and survival.

Now, put money where your mouth is. Cut a check to Ermin Garcia and send it right away.

Better late than never . . . do it!

Note: SSI . . . Supplemental Security Income is for people 65 years old or over either citizens or permanent legal residents. Must be residing in the US for 5 years and no income at all. A federal program sharing with the States.

The way you expressed yourself being dirt poor, Edwin you’re eligible in this program.

Think of the poor, too

By Jun Velasco

ASSEMBLYMAN Vic Millora — he with the boyish face and generous smile — is not the only story-teller in the family.

His half-brother Roger Canto, a modest private contractor, also is.

Roger related that last Palm Sunday, as he sat at the family home to view the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Marquez brawl, he mistakenly switched on Channel 4 with Fr. Jerry Orbos making his Sunday homily. Probably it was the priest’s magnetic voice that glued him to the channel, but he said he never got to watch the much boxing rematch anymore. He got “detained” by Fr. Orbos’ “Reflections” on the story of a successful artist who by twist of fate became despondent, a kin, Joey Velasco, a UP bred artist.
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Praise for National Punch

By Al S. Mendoza

OK, OK, calm down, fellas.

Why must we fight?

Let’s leave the fighting to the boxers.

Why the whining?

It’s better to applaud than to upload anger.  Like a smile, applauding is good for the heart.

So, let’s stop questioning the victory of Manny Pacquiao?

He won, period.

He won by the slimmest of margins, by the skin of his teeth.

What’s wrong with that?
Read more

Sprouted pigmented rice a rich source of nutrients

By Sosimo Ma. Pablico

Aside from the usual boiled rice and champorado prepared by housewives   for their respective family, they can also prepare dishes from sprouted pigmented rice and at the same time provide more nutrients for their family members.

Food chemists of PhilRice (Philippine Rice Research Institute) have found that the unpolished pigmented rice when sprouted, just like toge, is a rich source of fiber, iron, vitamins and minerals.  It also contains other micronutrients needed by the human body.

Dr. Marissa Romero, who led the PhilRice food chemists, said sprouted pigmented rice can be consumed “just like toge or mongo sprouts and can be eaten alone, as viand, or as snack.”
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Pietistic comfort zone

By +Oscar V. Cruz D. D.

To recall one’s sins against God and others. To repent for violations of the Commandments of God and the Laws of Nature. To make amends for sins of commission done as well as for sins of omission realized. It can be said that this series of three agenda items is what is both normative and imperative particularly during this Holy Week—specially for the Christian Faithful. Anyone who would dare say or claim that he or she is sinless, is not a member of humanity.

The yearly commemoration of the painful passion, cruel death and glorious resurrection of Christ is also meant for the Christian Faithful to once again be conscious and receptive of the following realities: To expect difficulties of life. To accept sufferings in living. To be grateful for the blessings in life. Anybody who thinks, claims or expects otherwise, does not belong to this real world.
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Respect the verdict

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

WE, the boxing aficionados, watched that colossal battle between our very own Manny Pacquiao against Mexico’s best Juan Manuel Marquez for the 130-pound World Boxing Council title fight.

We already know the result.

Although Pacquiao’s victory was not convincing, not clear, or questionable, Pacquiao is still the winner.

We have to respect the verdict of the three judges.

Because of that third round knockdown he scored, that made the big difference, as many said. Two of the three judges gave him a nod.
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Pro-life

By Marifi Jara

(I am writing this week’s column with reports from The PUNCH student trainees Charmaine Dizon, Wilna Memorial and Jahwela Ocay from UP Baguio.)

In Manaoag, home of the shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag, also known as Nuestra Señora del Rosario, a popular pilgrimage site for Catholics, family planning is aggressively being pushed by the local government.

Local officials know that the Catholic Church is against the government’s family planning program as a whole, and they do admit that there is strong opposition from the local Catholic clergy against their efforts.
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